Check out this photo array of a magician announcing his child's birth. Made my day.

[link]

Random Math Puzzle!

How to Escape a Monster Using Calculus

It's also possible to solve the first part of the puzzle without calculus, which is what I did.

Solution: How to escape a monster (using calculus)

Speaking of spoons, has anyone heard of spoon butter for conditioning wooden utensils and cutting boards?

Vaguely. I make my own wood conditioner, though, so I've never looked into buying it.

I pleaded my case successfully! The pain doc assures me neuro is going to do something but accepts that something can't start before my appointment with him (I explained the lack of contact), and gave me the same shoulder meds as I was on before.

Is it comforting to know my neuro has a plan and hasn't even done as much as saying "I have a plan, but we need to talk in person before I can prescribe you anything."? Exactly as not at all as you would think.

But, ten days of meds and they're going to schedule me for the first longer-term procedure after my stupid insurance authorises it.

ita,

I don't exactly know WTF is going on, but I'm glad to know there is a plan in place. Not sure it is a good thing that a plan is in place but is not communicated to you though.

???

OK, so it turns out if you email a firm and say, "I assume you've got no interest in me, since nobody's been in touch in weeks," you get an immediate call-back from the recruiter, and an update on the internal decision-making process w/rt staffing and business development possibilities.

Also, if you whine about being on unemployment, the recruiter promises to see if she can scare up some project-related work you can do on an hourly basis. Whining appears to pay off!

That said, I have an interview scheduled for Monday with the firm whose VP was incredibly lackadaisical about actually talking to me. The local office manager, however, seems faster on his feet.

Now I feel a little better about possibly not burning through all my savings and ending up leeching off my Dad.

Fingers crossed!

That does sound hopeful, Consuela.

§ ita § I don't know what to say about your neuro's lack of communication, at the very least.

I was just thinking this recently -- people not telling you anything (when they are actually doing something/thinking about it) is the WORST. And my stuff is super minor compared to (a) low-enough pain to function on a day-to-day basis or (b) employment.

Get it together, people!!